In order to participate in the California Invention Convention, there are certain restrictions and requirements.
- All students must be registered through this registration including profile picture of the inventor and 1-6 pictures of the invention. Registration must be completed by April 3.
• Remember that live animals are not allowed at Invention Conventions, so if the invention is for animals,it must be demonstrated in pictures – or on a stuffed toy. Demonstrations/presentations may not include human beings or living creatures.
• Display board must be no larger than 24”’ with the wings folded in.
• Each inventor must have a COMPLETED, Invention Log, Display Board and invention on hand at the convention on April 13th
• The invention does not have to be a working model, but the inventor needs to be able to explain how it would work. If it can be operational, it should be.
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The prototype/invention should be no more than 2' x3' and be able to set on a table top. If it is larger and the competition is not virtual, then a model of the invention and/or pictures of the invention is required for the competition. (This is also a requirement of the National Invention Convention).
• Inventors may not use lighters, matches, candles or any other open flame or heat source or anything material or liquid considered combustible.
• Inventions may not contain biohazards or utilize any materials that are, or could become dangerous.
• Other restrictions include: electric stun guns, martial arts weapons, guns, replica guns, ammunitions, fireworks, knives of any size, mace, pepper spray, razors, boxcutters and balloons.
California Invention Convention is an initiative to bring invention education into California schools and to celebrate the young inventors with a state-wide event.
Our first California Invention Convention was held April, 2017 in Santa Cruz with 55 young inventors attending and eight top inventors chosen to attend the national event. We have continued to grow the program — training new teachers and welcoming new schools into the program. In school year 2023-2024, over 20,000 have gone through the program all across California.
We have grown to the point where there are now two events -- one for students from Northern California, another in Torrance for students from Southern California. Winners from these two events are invited to the National Invention Convention.
The goals of the California Invention Convention:
- Bring STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) invention education to 1,000,000 K-12 students throughout California
- Provide opportunities for students to be recognized and valued for their inventions through Regional and State Invention Convetions
- Include all qualified student invention programs as part of a state-wide California Invention Convention program
California Invention Convention is a tax exempt entity with 501(c)(3) status. We are an affiliate of The Henry Ford.
Public Display- the public is allowed on the convention floor to view the inventions and chat with the inventors from 11:00 AM-2:30 PM on Saturday April 13
Alll participating students must register through this registration system, including submitting a video and invention documention, no later than April 3rd, 2024
April 13th Schedule:
8:00-9:45 -- Student check in and set up. All students are set up and by their inventions by 9:45 AM. There will be museum docents available from 8:30-9:30so that students and parents can explore the museum.
8:30-10:00 -- Judge check in and training
10:00-11:00 - Judges meet with students on convention floor. Only judges, students, and floor monitors allowed on the convention floor
11:00- 2:30 - Convention floor open to public
11;00-12:00 -- Students stay by invention in case judges have any further questions.
12:00- 2:00 - Students free to leave with parents.
2:30: Students must remove all inventions and associated materials from convention floor.
On April 19th, there will be a virtual awards ceremony. Award winners names will be posted on the California Invention Convention website with 3 days of the event.
Consumer Goods and Fashion
Education (Technology, Systems, Hardware, Tools)
Education (Technology, Systems, Hardware, Tools) - anything that helps students or teachers in the classroom or students with their homework.
Home Organization and Appliances
Judging Criteria
This year, the judges will meet with the students
Inventions are judged and scored on the following criteria:
- Ability to clearly define the problem
- Originality of the invention or how it is an improvement over similar inventions
- The process the inventor used
- Effectiveness - does the invention solve the stated problem?
- Practicality of the solution
- Completeness of the Invention Log and the Display Board